• It causes a disturbance in the hormone insulin, which can lead to weight
gain.
• It creates a disturbance in the hormone leptin, which controls hunger.
• It is linked to allergies, as it interferes with the enzyme the body uses to
make adrenal hormones.
• It interferes with the production of male and female sex hormones, which
affect fertility and keep us young.
• It raises the level of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein), which is
bad.
• It lowers the level of good cholesterol (highdensity lipoprotein), which is
also bad.
• It increases your risk of heart attacks and stroke.
• It causes a wide variety of cancers.
• It contributes to infertility in women.
• It raises your chance of developing diabetes.
Ironically, hydrogenated margarine was recommended as a healthy fat by both
the American Heart Association and the National Cholesterol Education
Program well into the 1990s. It’s no surprise that, even as a doctor, I ate
margarine before I learned about its dangers. When I think of the years I did this
as I listened to those so-called healthy recommendations, I can’t help but think
of the permanent harm I may have done to my body. Many Americans are
beginning to learn about the dangers of margarine and have stopped using it in
their own homes, but many still consume trans fats from other sources, like the
fast-food industry.
Trans fats from hydrogenated oils and margarine are like plastics. Once you
eat trans fats, they integrate into your cells and interfere with intracellular
communications because your body cannot recognize their molecular structure.
When cells can’t communicate with each other, sugar and other nutrients remain
in the bloodstream longer than they should because the damaged cells become
unresponsive to hormones. As a result, the pancreas secretes more insulin to deal
with the nutrients remaining in the bloodstream. Your insulin, which was already
unbalanced because of your excessive sugar intake, is now totally screwed up.
When an overabundance of insulin is circulating through your bloodstream, you
are on your way again to becoming overweight. You also increase your chance
of developing diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. You can thank trans fats for
this vicious cycle.
Figure 1.5: Major Sources of Trans Fats in Our Diet
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